Bartel, Henry H. (1868-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1868 Dec 29

text of obituary:

REV. HENRY H. BARTEL

Rev. Henry H. Bartel, our beloved father, was born Dec. 29, 1868, in Russia, and peacefully went to be with the Lord on April 27, 1957. He reached the age of 88 years, three months and 28 days.

Father came to America with his parents in 1879 and settled near Hillsboro, Kansas, where he grew to manhood.

On Oct. 18, 1896, he was united in marriage to Sarah Regier. this marriage was blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters. One daughter preceded him in death.

Soon after their marriage they saw their lost condition and accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour. They were baptized by Elder Abraham Schellenberg and were received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church of Buhler, Kansas.

In 1900 they moved to Fairview, Okla. and in 1906 to Hooker, Okla. Here father yielded to God's call and was elected minister of the gospel. The Lord blessed his labors, and many accepted Christ under his ministry.

In 1913 the parents moved back to Fairview. Here he was ordained as pastor of the North Fairview Mennonite Brethren church. In 1940 they moved to Bakersfield, Calif. where they enjoyed the fellowship with the saints, and later moved to Dinuba, Calif.

Our parents were permitted to walk life's highway together for more than 53 years. They experienced many hardships, but the blessings of God outweighed them all.

In December 1949 mother went to be wtih [sic] the Lord.

Father enjoyed relatively good health until the last year, when his health gradually began failing. He loved the Word of God, and attended church services as long as his strength permitted.

On April 6 he was taken to the Reedley Hospital from the Home for the Aged, where he had been living for the last year. the next day he was transferred to the home of his daughter, Mrs. John L. Litke. Many times he thanked the Lord that he could be near his children in his last days. He rejoiced in the hope that God would call him Home soon. He was a grateful, quiet and loving patient until he entered the blessed "rest of the Saints' in the presence of Christ.

Surviving are two sons, Henry R. and Alvin R. Bartel, and three daughters, Mrs. Marie B. Litke, Mrs. Martha R. Kliewer, and Mrs. Linda M. Grunau, all of Fresno, Calif.; two brothers, W. H. Bartel of Cordell, Okla. and Abe Bartel of Bakersfield; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. — The Children.